Anime Analysis - The Twelve Kingdoms (Commentary)

[@krabbcake8371]

The intro sequence is actually more Chinese in style. The creatures and settings are heavily based on Chinese mythology and aesthetics. The political structure is loosely based on the Chinese concept of the mandate of heaven. Though how this show ties all these concepts together with a highly addictive plot and complex universe is very unique and masterfully done.

[@Ender424]

Wow surprised to see you posted this recently. Twelve Kingdoms is definitely one of my favorite anime of all time. It can be very misleading at first because it starts off a little cliche with the main character being swept away to a different world but learning about the world, the lore, and all the characters was very satisfying. I think the politics of the show was pretty easy to grasp. My favorite part was when Youko revealed herself to be the queen to that small town that was being oppressed when the imperial army was about to attack and she had them turn around by scolding the general in front of everyone. When she turned around and saw everyone bowing I kinda teared up. *SIGH* Really wished this had been more popular not a whole lot of merch available for this show.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I like when Hourin had shitsudou and was panic saying 'The Ouki what happened to the Ouki?:

[@Soufriere84]

Twelve Kingdoms is without question my favourite anime. Is it perfect? No. But I love it for what it is. When I first watched it over 10 years ago, it blew me away; I'd never seen anything like it before. And I haven't really seen anything like it since. It's because of this show that I consider Tsuneo Kobayashi (RIP) one of the best yet most underrated anime directors.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

it needs a remake with modern animation or perhaps a prequel.

[@lucilleclaricetorres998]

@@GuitarsAndSynths , I was thinking the same thing.

[@lillith979]

@@GuitarsAndSynths a prequel and a sequel maybe aha because they have a lot of source material (books)

[@Melodyofthesea78]

@@GuitarsAndSynths They should leave the character designs alone other then that a reboot is great but remember the novels are not finished. This story is still ongoing.

[@daeith1233]

@@GuitarsAndSynths 4 years later but I love the old animation, do you really see it as an issue? I find it wonderful, I just finished it and it didn't annoy me at all

[@mayaha200]

I actually very impressed by the building of Youko character in this series. this is the most realistic way to show how real people deal with going into another world I have ever seen. While Youko do cry a lot I dare you to be send to another world, never see your family again, and not cry about it. Here many people just don't get what this series trying to say, cause they want empty "fun" without thinking too deep. Too bad this series is about thinking too deep especially about yourself and your own faults! That's what I like about it. I'm ready to argue that while Youko has her own weakness, she is still better then the other two idiots that come with her even when she cry. Yeas I said it! As for my favourite character I'm surprised you didn't mantion him, I found him much more easy to like then anyone else Enki Rokuta. He is smart, he is fun, he mostly going around the world trying to save others all the time. His backstory was sooo brutal like god damn poor him. What is there not to like about him.

[@Otaku155]

This anime has consistently made my top ten underrated list for the last 10 years. There is no reason why it did not get a better following.

[@hekate5561]

I guess it's because Youko really was kind of annoying in the beginning and Yuka and Asano weren't much better. Sadly many people watch one or three episodes and if they don't like the characters, they don't continue. Especially if the anime is longer. That is the risk that stories that rely heavily on character development run. Many stories try to compensate this with awesome side characters that counterbalance the initially annoying leads, but here even the cool side characters like Enki or Kind En or Queen Kyou or Rakushun only appear later on.

[@Made_In_Heavenn]

@@hekate5561 the just cancel man

[@evna9246]

The opening of still images is probably fan service for the original book that they adapted it from.

[@anathar8830]

Been a lot of years since I seen this. Almost forgot it existed. If I remember correctly, it had a lot of episodes, and a lot of side-stories. A very underrated anime that deserves a place on my shelf. Keep up the good work, Shadow :)

[@HundreadD]

It was incredibly amusing to see how one of the freaking recap episodes had better character development in it than other shows could even possibly muster up in their whole runtime. Fitting because it's not always the most intense and bombastic moments that shape what we are but the quiet and contemplative ones, which is exactly the atmosphere that the recap episodes go for

[@1Maklak]

Bombastic and intense is pretty optimistic. Collecting a harem of cliche anime girls seems to fill most of modern isekai these days.

[@Master10k2]

It's rare to find someone do a sort of review/discussion on this anime, since barely anyone has seen it. And even fewer people have read the unofficial translated continuation to the story, involving Yoko Nakajima 3 years after the events of the anime and she gets caught up in the Taika arc.

[@cedrickulacz8468]

I had n idea there was an unofficial translation of the later works. I read the official translation of the first book... where Yoko was a LOT less annoying...

[@StoneTitan]

I'll be honest 12 kingdoms is probably the most impressive world i've seen in a anime. I'm quite curious to how much of it was taken from Chinease/Japanease mythology and how much the author made up. It's incredible the kind of work Fuyumi Ono managed to make in a genra that isn't her prefered area to write in. I really recomend people to try reading the books, they're similar but quite differeant at the same time, many of the conversations in the anime between characters is actually taking place internally(Asano doesn't exist and Sugimoto never came to the world of 12 kingdoms. I also recomend giving a look at Ono's other works: "Ghost Hunt", "Shiki" & if you can find it "Demon Child" the later is the story that later on lead to 12 kingdoms and it's resolved around "Taiki" honestly i'm kinda sad i watched 12 kingdoms before reading Demon child since a lot of the mystery/scare effect vanish with the knowledge of what he is. Anyway if you give Demon child a view expect to read about a lot of Violence & Gore. As for the 12 kingdoms intro. It's one of the best ever imo, the still images telling the story was a wise move for this type of series and hints of the stories you could get out of ancient drawings, and all the info shown in the intro is also facinating. The bad part about the anime was episode 40+ that part just felt rushed and was changed in a way it really shouldn't have given the rush they shouldn't have told it as a flashback switching back and forward but just stayed in the flashback for the entire arc.

[@camcam794]

Oof I’m super late. The author studied Buddhism in college, so she pulled a lot from Chinese mythology. When she was first writing this story she kept a journal of all the terminology so she wouldn’t forget or get confused.

[@jeramahia123]

I went and watched this and I LOVED IT!!!

[@ShadowACS1]

I'm glad. :)

[@leociresi4292]

I’m watching it now, although it’s kind of hard to follow, it has a pretty good storyline

[@omgsushiify]

I simply cannot tell you how much I ABSOLUTELY ADORE YOUR VOICE! and well...your video too :)

[@ShadowACS1]

Aw, thanks. :)

[@MightyMage2]

The Twelve Kingdoms is one of my favorite Anime. Don't see anybody talking about it, which is very sad, so thanks for doing a commentary/review on it :)

[@Vaxliscious]

Good news is that a new novel is being worked on, and there's a good chance it's the resolve to the Tai arc. But if not, it could also be a resolve to the Ryuu issues brought up. Anime would probably need a complete reboot though, as I believe the anime went on hiatus due to the character designer falling ill.

[@sarcasticsugar4466]

One of my all time favorite animes ever. Also read the light novels - they are AMAZING. I have been an anime fan for years - I have still not come across better characterization than this series.

[@luispavon4285]

Hello would you PLEASE tell me where can I find the original novels?? I saw the anime years ago and it makes me so sad they did not continue the anime, I could never found the novels.

[@shanicefelix5674]

Spot on review! I loved Youko though and thought she was great. The villains were everything you said they were and it made me laugh. Your review brought me right back to how watching the actual anime felt, and I thought that was amazing

[@tpatt6735]

You are a "God" of the anime community your channel helped me cope with losing lots of important things in my life thank you, you and darkness both inspired me to be a small anime reviewer thank you and if you ever speak to dark again send him my gratitude Ig that is all keep up ur awsome videos

[@hmthelich]

i'm seriously considering watching this now, i get some pretty good recommendations from your videos sometimes

[@DrFluffyPanda]

Thanks for this review Shadow. I loved this anime. I literally binge watched it in less than a week. I loved how all the characters were able to get some form of character development and how the anime would never pull those fucking hat tricks like "ohh we've had a secret weapon this entire time" bullshit. I liked it that the creators actually gave hints in the beginning or during the Story Arcs as to how everything would end. And if you find a manga where I can find out what happens to Taiki I would really appreciate it! Anyways thanks for the amazing anime. Now i need a new anime...

[@hasanlinonge772]

Just wanted to say you earn yourself a loyal subscriber, your reviews are amazing I've watched about 20 already you really have a good talent, and I look forward to see whats in store for you in the future :) pls don't stop like many other anime reviewer I actually really like your content

[@ShadowACS1]

Thanks a lot, I'm glad you're a fan. And don't worry, I have no intention of stopping. :)

[@ichbrauchmehrkaffee5785]

Hands down on of the best and memorable animes there is. My absolute favourite Edit: without mentioning Studio Ghibli of course, those movies are magnificent.

[@ahegao7175]

Sweet, I'm going to check this anime out, thanks shadow! :)

[@herlenepreval3142]

I love this anime. I watched it three times and was about to watch it again when I came upon the documentary. It's true that the opening is not very likable but after I watched the anime a second time, I noticed that it explained some things that were in the anime. Like the babies in the tree explained how children are born in that world and the flying horses following that woman explains the Kirin and the relationships between the ruler and the Kirin.

[@luispavon4285]

WHAT!!!??? There is a documentary????? REALLY???

[@vivianeb90]

I remember this anime. I loved it so much! It was very well done. Wished it had continued!

[@DARKREAPER8117]

I have yet to find something that can fill the void it left

[@vivianeb90]

@@DARKREAPER8117 I'd recommend Made in Abyss. Not really a similar story. But also an amazing anime series. Cute, stunning, beautiful, but gory at the same time... just check it out. I can't make it sound as good as it is.

[@MissAnimeLoveable]

Glad to see you back in action! I really love your videos, and man YOUR VOICE IS AMAZING. And I will check this anime out! It sounds like something I would enjoy! :)

[@MahyLune]

Thank you for your video, made me watch it and got almost all the same comments 💗 loved it, had a very good time 💝

[@nickyluster8737]

Just finished the anime yesterday and I was just astonished at the ending. I need to get those books on the ending.

[@B._Smith]

Great analogy. I eas just thinking as I watched 12 kingdoms. 'Hey GOT is just an anime style storytelling!'

[@XileGundolf]

Hey Shadow, I've been following you for over 3 years and just wanted to say that the quality of the videos has improved greatly from when you started. I remember 3 years ago, your voice sounded like you were in a cave or something. Thank you for putting in so much work in the videos you make (although i have to avoid some videos) and I hope you keep going for the years to come. p.s. I suck at english

[@crisptugboat8764]

And by avoid some videos, you probably mean his Ticket to Damnation series

[@XileGundolf]

:)

[@Xancira15]

I love this Anime so much! I first stumbeld upon it six years ago. I'm watching it for the third time now and have three of the four books at home. I'm reading the first one for a second time now. I can really recommend it to all fantasy fans. It has a fantastic mythology, lovable characters and depicts life as it really is.

[@Master10k2]

If you wish to watch an anime similar to 12 Kingdoms, watch Kemono no Souja Erin.

[@x3SophiexD]

If anyone is interested It's based on a book And the book is way longer than the anime I didn't finish reading all the books but it's darn interesting I'm not even sure if the books have an ending

[@SomethingStudio21]

This is probably one of the best stories I ever saw. would definitely recommend

[@mujaku]

I have watched it a number of times. It is basically a rite of passage anime which centers on a red-haired girl named Youko Nakajima who learns her real destiny having to rise to a level of maturity to become what she was truly meant to be. The author of the book Fuyumi Ono from which the anime comes is the J.R.R. Tolkien of Japan. Trust me 12K is not boring. You will love it and watch it many times.

[@Digisoulwings]

This was really great to listen to, and I love this video. I watched Juuni Kokki when I was young, I think around 13-15, and I absolutely adored it, watching the entire thing in about a week. I also have some of the Light Novels on my Kindle to read and am excited. I might make a review/thoughts/analysis video myself of this series to give it a little more light, and I'll credit your video for inspiring me. :D

[@dracmanish]

Interesting premise, might actually check this series out. Also I highly recommend Eureka 7 Shadow, it's a really good series.

[@adamwallace7353]

Eureka 7 DEFINITELY seems like something Shadow will enjoy.

[@dracmanish]

I know right.

[@rainingChickenwing14]

i hate that anime just saying

[@dracmanish]

rainingChickenwing14 Is it Renten or something else?

[@knightdrako]

12 Kingdoms is my favorite anime of 2019.... Yeah I was really late to the party.

[@DARKREAPER8117]

Its sads that the party ends so suddenly

[@toocoldtobother7271]

I just finished it, I binged it the whole week its glorious

[@ChieMiyagawa]

Very underrated show and I wish they had completed it.

[@sweetpotatobestpotato9893]

9:14 not true at all. That king and sugimoto are actually very similar in the fact that they got blindsighted with power and thirsted for more and more...of course, the fact that both suffer from the fact that they can't deal with the power given to them/they can't seem to control themselves or their fate makes both characters very vulnerable human beings that you can't help but bad feel bad for, even just a little, despite their horrible nasty actions

[@treebee8455]

I love this anime so much!!!! Thanks for showing this anime some love!!

[@informationyes]

The vilian from the first seasons motivation isnt just his predudice as also he know hes doing a bad job at ruling but he knows the neighbering kingdom is in an even worse state without its ruler and so thats why hes trying to kill the protaganist as he doesnt want her to start ruleing this kingdom and make it good and reflect how bad of a job hes doing at ruleing his

[@jh134mvp8]

definitely in my list of all time favourites if not my favourite anime ive watched so far. i fell in love with the art style, world building and especially the characters and their development (shoukei is my favourite character too). i really wish they finished this series it actually saddens me a little not knowing how it ends i might go and look up how to get translated versions of the books shouldnt be too hard

[@susususu6778]

Fantastic show, possible contender for one of my all-time favorite shows.

[@youtoober6738]

So underrated. This is one of the best shows out there. It's just unfortunate the story never got to finish.

[@moonmaiden-me2bs]

SHADOWACS! I LOVE YOU!! YOUR AMAZING!!

[@anonverse94]

I wish I never finshed it it ended to fast this is one of the best pieces of art/anime ive ever seen

[@KoNekoNoUta]

I watch this when i was 17, it is amazing and also mind blowing. So much interesting then famous Fushigi Yûgi ...

[@nine_tails137]

Sorry to hear about your RWBY review. :( Seriously, I REALLY liked that Video! As well as every other Anime Analysis Video you've done!

[@sile1727]

This has been a long favorite of mine. Just wish it was longer and there were other anime's similar.

[@EDayAllDay]

This is possibly the most underrated anime of all time

[@angelspackersrock]

New book coming out 20 years after the last one! Hopefully that means they’ll adapt the rest of the books.

[@deathdoor]

Good to see someone talking about this series, is one of the best. I'm have then my two cents. I disagree about the "villains", because this whole world doesn't have one. They're "antagonists" at best, absolute even doesn't exist here. Take Shoukou from the second Youko's Arc, even if he did terrible thing he didn't just because he is "evil", he was arguing with the Gods. Even Shoukei's father believed he was doing good. The conflicts in Twelve Kingdoms are political ones, the story just have sides and disagreements. Makes me remember Seirei no Moribito, where everyone do what they belive be the right thing to do to prevent tragedy. Damn, more people should talk about Twelve Kingdoms. It's a pity that there's isn't more seasons. That aborted Taiki's Arc works that way even in the books.

[@csillaszabo9458]

I think one of the best part of the anime is the opening 😮 how can you not love it, it's like a traditional tapestry foretelling the whole story, it gives it it's authentic legend vibe all classical Chinese, or Greek or Nordic stories have with the normal fantasy. The music is amazing, and the pictures really explain the world. It's like getting ready to see the Journey to the West.

[@csillaszabo9458]

The books were called the Lord of the rings of Japan, at some point. The book ot Taiki just finished not long ago.

[@csillaszabo9458]

And there are no villains in the show, just people tragically fail. The whole point of the story is to tell how people are not perfect and if pushed they can break or triumph over their flaws.

[@1Maklak]

10 minute segments taken from the middle were what finally got me interested in this anime. The beginning was rather slow, so it wouldn't keep me interested by itself.

[@Nauclerus]

Even though I am quite late to the party. I am able to contributes a few notes about Yoko's whiny characterization in the first couple of episode. In the novel, she was mainly transported to this world all alone by Keiki, but in the anime she is transported there together with Sugimoto and Asano that just happened to be there, when she gets attacked.. These two characters was added to portray Yoko's other personality traits, because the first part of the book had her all alone being in an internal conflict on what to do in every given situation,, which could be off-putting when most of the runtime becomes internal dialogue. With these added characters, she can communicate this internal conflict and avoid any voice-over. Although, that means she is reduced to being constantly whiny untill the point she meets Rakushun and those two characters are no longer necessary. Its quite interessting to watch what they did with Sugimoto and Asano later on when their main purpose to the story was finished. At least, this is what I remember from watching the behind-the-scenes content many many years ago.

[@magiclover9346]

Great series, just finished re-watching it. I'd forgotten how addictive it is and once again fell victim to binge watching it over two weeks.

[@WiseSilverWolf]

Wow I didnt think that I would ever see anyone review this anime on youtube, this is definitely a great anime that deserves alot more attention and its a shame that it never got finished.

[@rubenchi2490]

I love this show !! Thanks for making this!

[@SelenaC_anime]

Nice review, Shadow.

[@SwordsmanLVL3]

As a fan of Dynasty Warriors and Games of thrones, this show looks straight up my street, Ill check it out, thanks for showing me this :)

[@cedrickulacz8468]

I absolutely LOVE this series, and yes I feel as though it doesn't get the attention it deserves. But I imagine this series would also a hard sell for a lot of people.

[@Melodyofthesea78]

2:36 from what I remember she didn't have schizophrenia it was a demon in her sword messing with her head.

[@ShadowACS1]

A possessed sword, but I didn't want to spoil that in the synopsis.

[@miokuroki4097]

Shoukei was my favorite too.

[@termsaksuknakha5525]

I'm so proud that I saw and like this show since I was in Elementary school. I was born with a great taste. :)

[@disneyanimegirl3410]

Ok I highly doubt you will ever see this I just have to say it . I love your videos they are fantastic. You are one of my favorite KZbinrs I love all of you guys equal but this in order of who I found first. I found Misty Chronixea first, then BlackCriticGuy,then I found You, then GRArkada,and lastly DDR.

[@ShadowACS1]

Don't worry, I saw it. Glad you're a fan. :)

[@disneyanimegirl3410]

No problem I have actually a lot of anime to thank you for introducing me to like Black Cat, FMAB, and Clannad After Story. Your videos always make me laugh and get me into anime's.

[@explodingstar1616]

Great review! This Anime sounds pretty cool, I think I'll go check it out. By the way, I think it would be awesome if you did reviews for the Animes Bakuman and NANA.

[@menakamakabas]

i watched Twelve Kingdoms really long time ago , thanks for reminding me of it (y)

[@TheWingrider92]

thanks for doing this video, you just peak my interest and from what I see in the review, the indept kingdom reminds me of the anime Moribito. Its is an anime adaptation of a novel and made by the guys who did Ghost in the Shell anime series

[@tchristensen81]

I called this my favorite anime for most of the 2000s - 2010s

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

It had potential and would benefit from a remake. Perhaps a prequel that would expand more on kingdom of Hou as I'd like to see more of Hourin and what happened to bring the King of Hou to downfall.

[@leonardojuan92]

very interesting anime I may check it out somewhere in the future. :)

[@bigbknyc]

wow how did i miss this

[@AirAfter]

I don't know. I only found Youko crying wrong one time, that was when she was in the forest and she hugged her guy friend.

[@jinroh516]

Nice heroes 4 music you got there on the background

[@ShadowACS1]

It's from the show.

[@moviesrocks2]

This is one show that I actually started to watch, but never finished. I did like, but not enough to watch all the way through. Thanks for reviewing. Finally a show that I might actually go back & watch. After the other 5 million anime that I want to watch. Next one is a sci-fi anime? Yay! My favorite genre. Always excited to see what you review next. Any other hints or do you like keeping us fans guessing?

[@MichelleWoods-o6q]

You should talk about the comparisons in the twelve kingdoms and akatsuki no yona, aka Yona of the dawn.

[@AngelaMerici12]

I love it!! I am even in a group where we discuss the anime and the novels and compare them. It is really awesome the 12 Kingdoms world!!

[@leociresi4292]

I’m assuming that the central ‘Kingdom’ is actually the portal that links the realm of the Twelve Kingdoms and Japan

[@AngelaMerici12]

@@leociresi4292 I don't remember correctly if there was a portal there but the one from where humans get to the kingdoms is a typhoon located in the ocean, at northwest (maybe in wrong). It's off the map they always show but they show it on the first episodes.

[@emergingfrequency1355]

watched this when i was like 15. i was the only one my age that thought it was amazing. It was ahead of its time

[@madisoned]

I came across a few episodes of this series, loved it, but then couldn't find more because it wasn't popular. Sad :(

[@zombieslayer5279]

can you do a review on aquariun evol

[@8Dataman8]

Hey Shadow! You inspired me to start making anime reviews. ^^ I like your videos and the fact that you often talk about something I didn't even know about. :) I myself do videos about swordfighting in anime and reviews of anime with swordfighting in them. Do you have some reasons for why you choose what series to make a video about?

[@CloakedSpie]

Hey Shadow, i'd like to recommend Shuffle for your next update. Its a great story, let alone some character flaws, and is one of the very few harems where the main character actually chooses someone in the end. Worth checking out in my opinion.

[@reymillianmelchor4909]

I love this anime...i've watched it in my high school days and want to skip school just to watch this tv series...lol

[@faydaway]

definitely gonna check this show out, seems right up my street, I love shows like this. Shame its unfinished though. Maybe I will check out the light novels after if I like it enough.

[@buizerdlover12]

I love this anime. I am So sad it didn't finish. I would have loved to see what they did with taiki. That cliffhanger was So amazing. I also wanna see how youko does with her development as her new position.

[@ILessThan3Trolling]

First thing I want to mention that this is not the only anime that has an opening with very little animation, Elfen Lied does this as well but does have some touches that are animated, not to mention Elfen Lied aired three years after The Twelve Kingdoms. Now that that's out of the way, it sounds like a great story that I'd more than love to get into, but the fact that the light novel was never fully adapted turns me away from it. While I admit that neither Elfen Lied nor the original Fullmetal Alchemist fully adapted their respective manga, but the anime-original endings worked out rather well; FMA not as much, but that's why Brotherhood is a thing.

[@lilkhmer5]

Great anime. One of my top 10. Character development is great. Too bad they didn't adapt the whole book series. If they just ended after Yoko's arc it'd be a great ending. Cut off the last few episodes.

[@thevideo-beast122]

4:03- some lady got her super powerful weapon and used it to smash opened a gate and send someone to our world

[@barbarabaker1457]

I had so much trouble with the main characters at first but I had to make it my own backstories to love this show. But the rest of it is amazing. Pretty much more like episode five or six on. It's my favorite show. Interestingly enough clannad and Fullmetal alchemist are also up there though I do like brotherhood a little better. Agree on most of the villains save the first. I always felt with the first king it was a fall Arc that set up what it was going to be like for Yoko. He let his own fears of being outshone cause his own downfall. He never believed the prejudice. They were just his excuse.

[@undertaker9991]

Still watching it. Never finished.

[@herlenepreval3142]

Damn, I can't find the books at all

[@JacobPaprotskiy1]

I remember dropping this series because the mc was rather annoying in the first few episodes, but I saw one of your top 10s and decided to stick with the series... all in all it was an awesome series... I recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy... also I recommend Kemono no Souja Erin though it is rather obscure and does not have a dub... it is still awesome as shit and erin is one of my all time favorite characters....

[@CJD345]

Well lets see if you add one part Inuyasha and one part Game of Thrones to a big ol mixing bowl. Stir vigorously and bake for twenty minutes on 450. You should get two ruined box sets and question what are doing with your life.

[@JoseLuisLazcanoLeal]

This is one of my favourite anime. Even I bought the first and fourth volumes of the books (there are only 4 translated to English).

[@ShadowKittyRave]

I love your review and highly recommend reading the books. The first is quite different than the anime adaptation =^.^=

[@missfortune9680]

2021 and here....you predicted isekai boom

[@bigjen8238]

It's just sad that it wasn't completed

[@MinimyoCaly]

I LOVE this anime.

[@gavinknightjackson6307]

Really like the animation

[@antonhallergren588]

I wouldn't be opposed to calling this show a damn near 10/10. The pacing is great, the world building is astonishing and the characters arcs and writing is fantastic. The only thing about it is the lack of a conclusive ending and the Tai arc which isn't finished. I'd still say that as it stands it's a solid 9.5 either way.

[@adelakinagbonbioka2696]

Excellent, excellent review! Your attention to detail helped me decide to watch this show. By the way, I'm looking for serious fantasy cartoons whether as movies or series. Any input you have after experiencing your expertise world help. Thanks.